On September 16, the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano hosted the seminar “Sustainable Buildings: A Search for Passive/Nature-Based Heating and Cooling Techniques” delivered by Dr. Naveed Ahmad, Director of the Buildings Energy Research Center BERC, (Pakistan).

As Europe and Asia increasingly experience similar extreme heat events, with temperatures exceeding 40°C, international collaboration is becoming essential to develop sustainable solutions for the built environment.

During the talk, Ahmad presented ongoing research and demonstration projects at BERC focused on passive and nature-based heating and cooling techniques for buildings. The seminar also highlighted innovative approaches to improving thermal comfort while reducing energy demand, as well as opportunities for collaboration with Politecnico di Milano within the framework of the forthcoming EU-funded BAUNWENDE II initiative.

The seminar provided an opportunity to exchange views on strategies for adapting buildings to climate change and on prospects for international collaboration aimed at promoting a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable built environment.